What did the breaking net in Luke 5 represent?
The breaking net represented Israel's history: nothing really jelled for them, and they never enjoyed all the promises God had given. It pictured a failed gathering where the fish escaped, contrasting with the later full net that showed not one single Jew would miss the end-time Kingdom gathering.
Les explains that the breaking net was indicative of Israel's history. When they cast the net at the Lord's command, it broke and the fish all got away, meaning nothing really jelled for them, and they never enjoyed all the promises that God had given. In contrast, the later net was drawn to land full of great fishes—not little offspring but full-grown large fish. The number 153 is recorded to show that not one single Jew is going to miss the end gathering for the Kingdom. The full net and the unbroken gathering picture the end-time ingathering, where not a single fish is lost.